PM&DC tightens MDCAT security ahead of Sep 20 test

PM&DC President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj chaired a high-level meeting attended by vice chancellors of universities conducting the test and representatives

ISLAMABAD: With more than 138,000 medical and dental aspirants set to appear in the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) has reviewed final security and administrative arrangements with universities and provincial health authorities ahead of the examination scheduled for September 20.

PM&DC President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj chaired a high-level meeting attended by vice chancellors of universities conducting the test and representatives of relevant provincial health authorities. The session examined preparations at examination centres, security arrangements, emergency response mechanisms, candidate facilitation and measures aimed at ensuring the examination is conducted in an orderly, transparent and standardised manner.

The meeting also discussed procedures for handling question papers once the examination concludes. Participants agreed that the respective universities may retain the question papers after the test as part of measures intended to protect examination confidentiality and maintain the integrity of the process.

The Council clarified that the decision does not amount to any unilateral takeover or intervention by PM&DC in the operational conduct of MDCAT. Under the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Act, 2022, the provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad Capital Territory are responsible for conducting the examination, while PM&DC performs its statutory functions relating to the examination framework, standards, procedures and regulatory oversight.

The Council said Section 9(2)(f) of the Act authorises PM&DC to formulate rules and regulations concerning admissions and examinations conducted by the provinces, Islamabad Capital Territory and Gilgit-Baltistan. Meanwhile, Section 13(c) provides for the National Medical and Dental Academic Board to formulate the examination procedure and structure for MDCAT for approval by the Council. Section 17(1) places responsibility for conducting the test on the respective authorities in accordance with the applicable policy and standards and on dates approved by PM&DC.

Officials said MDCAT 2026 is being organised on a significantly large scale, with 138,158 candidates registered to appear at examination centres spread across 34 cities and towns in Pakistan, besides an international centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The meeting stressed the need for close coordination among all stakeholders to prevent administrative lapses and maintain strict examination security. Universities and concerned authorities were directed to ensure professionalism, efficiency and transparency throughout the examination process.

PM&DC also said candidates would have access to the prescribed mechanism for raising objections or concerns regarding any question appearing in the examination. Such issues will be dealt with through the established review and objection procedure.

The meeting ended with a commitment from all participating institutions to conduct MDCAT 2026 in accordance with the law, approved procedures and prescribed standards, with the stated aim of ensuring a secure, transparent, standardised and fair examination for candidates across the country.